Jacquelyn groaned as they stood, one arm quickly shooting out to grab Combeferre's shoulder to steady themself, "For something I literally can't feel, this seems to hurt a whole lot."
The man chuckled, helping them as they began to take tentative steps forward, "That's just the way this sort of is."
Combeferre and Courfeyrac had appeared at Enjolras' flat barley after the sun had risen on the morning of Christmas eve, Gavroche scampering off almost as soon as he'd said hello.
Now, they were preparing for the party with the Amis who could make it, or, in Combeferre's case, checking over Jacqueyns frostbite and helping them to start walking again.
The door to Enjolras' room opened slowly, and the man himself emerged, groaning, "What the hell are you two doing here?"
"Morning Felix," Courfeyrac called teasing, "Nice of you to join us."
"Joyus Noel. We're here for the party Enj." Combeferre explained, helping Jacquelyn to sit back down.
"Party isn't till 4." Enjolras groaned.
"It's already 11." Courfeyrac pointed out.
Jacquelyn looked at him with a bemused look as they shrugged, "I couldn't stop them, apparently they have keys."
"Yeah, yeah they do." He mumbled rubbing at his eyes with the heels of his palms.
"Probably a bad decision, giving one to Courf." Combeferre said, offering him one of the now ready cups of tea.
"Definitely." Enjolras muttered.
"Joyus Noel!" Jacquelyn chirped as Jehan practically pranced into the flat and sat down next to them.
"And to you as well!" He pressed a kiss to their cheek, "You're looking better."
Jacquelyn nodded, "Ferre says I should be able to go home soon, which should be nice."
"I mean, you really want to go back to that dingy flat?"
"You really think he'd let me stay here?" They challenged.
Jehan raised his eyebrows, smirking a bit as he chuckled.
Jacquelyn rolled their eyes, watching as Eponine entered the flat, dragging a halfway to drunk Grantaire along with her.
The apartment became filled with noise as the party continued, Courfeyrac beginning to dish out some of the food he made, at the same time as Muischetta came bustling into the flat carrying a rather large tray, and followed by Joly, "Sorry we're late!"
"Bossuet sends Christmas wishes, he had to go see his family." Joly explained, unwrapping the scarf from his neck.
"That's alright, so did Bahorel." Enjolras said.
"Here," Muischetta passed the tray over to Courfeyrac, "Madame H let me take the extra scones and things."
"Lovely!" Courfeyrac beamed, moving to find a place for the tray on the counter.
"Everyone grabbed a plate and a seat, we'll see if we can fit everyone around this table." Combeferre said.
Jean was quick to help Jacquelyn over to the table, where Enjolras was already setting down a plate for them, across from his own.
It took a minute for everyone to crowd around, and Jacquelyn found themself squished between Jehan and Muischetta, quietly eating and listening to the conversation.
The night seemed to pass quickly, and soon Jacquelyn found themself sitting back on the sofa, laughing as Grantaire, who was very animatedly telling a story, nearly fell off his seat.
Eponine rolled her eyes, standing up, "I think I'm going to head out now. Thank you all, for having me."
Everyone said their goodbyes, and Eponine ruffled Gavroche's hair before pulling on her coat and heading out the door, Jehan following behind, waving.
"Well, I suppose we should be going too, Bossuet should be home soon." Joly said, clamouring to his feet and grabbing his cane.
"It was a great time," Muischetta smiled, turning to Jacquelyn, "And it was great to really meet you for real."
"Likewise." They smiled.
Once the couple had left Courfeyrac had stood, "I guess that's our cue to get out of your hair."
"Yeah, we've been bothering you for far too long," Combeferre agreed, looking at Grantaire, "You staying?"
Grantaure shrugged, looking to Enjolras who just said, "If you'd like."
"Alright, well then we'll be off then," Courfeyrac said, hauling a half asleep Gavroche into his arms, "Have a joyous noel."
"Oh wait, hold on." Enjolras stood up, moving into the guest bedroom on Jacquelyn's behalf.
He came back a moment later, handing a small wrapped box to Combeferre as Jacquelyn explained, "For Gavroche. For Christmas."
He smiled, "He'll be glad, thank you."
As soon as the door had closed Grantaire turned to Jacquelyn smirking, "You're such a parent."
"Shut up!" They chuckled.
"He's right." Enjolras laughed, moving to sit back next to them.
Grantaire took another swig out of his bottle, chuckling as he shook his head.
Jacquelyn rolled their eyes good naturedly, motioning for the bottle, "I hate you guys."
"You love us!" Grantaire retorted, handing them the bottle as he moved to sit on their other side.
"Ehhhhhhhh."
Enjolras grabbed the bottle from them once they were done, taking a swig for himself, chuckling.
A comfortable semi-silence fell over the room as they passed the bottle around, letting out the occasional joke, or small stories.
Before Enjolras knew it the clock above the mantle was chiming 1 o'clock in the morning, and he sighed as Jacquelyn struggled to stand, rubbing at their temples.
"Oh god, can one of you help me to bed?"
Almost immediately, Grantaire was standing and scooping them up bridal style as Enjolras laughed.
"Taire! This isn't what I meant!" They protested.
The man just laughed, shuffling off to the guest bedroom and dropping them onto the bed, "There you are Mademoiselle!"
Jacquelyn sighed, flipping their middle fingers up at him.
Enjolras stifled another laugh, standing up from the couch, "Grantaire leave the lady-" a scoff from Jacquelyn could be heard, "-alone."
"Yeah! Tell 'em Félix!" They half yelled, with just about no enthusiasm.
Grantaire laughed, "Your first name is Felix?"
"Shut up Rene!" He retorted.
YOU ARE READING
The Darkest Night Will End
Fanfiction"There is a life, and there is a death, and there are beauty and melancholy in between." -Albert Camus In which three people, a marble man, a drunken cynic, and a tired soul, dragged through miserable lives tied together on some invisible string, f...
